In what spirit do you participate in the WSIM?

In general we would ask the participates to openly share the following abilities:

• Whitewater Paddle Techniques (eg. stance)

• Whitewater Rescue Techniques (eg. rescue)

• Whitewater Sup Safety Standards (eg. leash & gear usage)

We are aware that several of these topics can generate extensive discussions. These discussions will be led by the event organizers and we ask that the participants respect any discussion limitations imposed by the organizers.

Participants are required not to come with the intention of convincing others, but rather with an open mind, with curiosity, with the approach of understanding others, openly sharing information. In our opinion, only with such an open approach will participants be able to benefit from the experiences and knowledge of others.

The meeting is directed and intended solely for qualified whitewater sup instructors. This ensures an open and free environment in which they can share experiences and talent without judgement.

In order to assess the ability to participate, the Organizing Committee is going to evaluate the national qualifications provided by the candidates, possibly upon provision of related exam programs.

Event purpose

The purpose of this event is to create a trustworthy and inspiring environment in which whitewater sup instructors from various countries openly share experiences and knowledge with one another so as to improve the quality of our instruction in the sport and its safety standards as a whole.

Organization in groups, Group structure

Each day, participants will be randomly assigned to groups, each composed by 6-8 people, led by a Group-Leader and a Guide-Assistant among them. Further to this, each participant will be allotted a Buddy for whom he reciprocally assumes direct responsibility during the water activities. In order to maintain the oversite, we ask that Buddies always be together on the water.

Safety check, Personal gear

The Group-Leader will assess the weather, water and group conditions in order to create the ideal group structure for that day. The Group-Leader will debate about personal and safety gear with his group. Participation in the group as well as the group structure is at the discretion of the Group-Leader. Thereafter, a participant gear safety check will take place.

Personal and Group mandatory gear

The Group-Leader will ensure the following personal rescue gear for each participant be brought:

• River pfd with quick release belt

• Rescue-throw-bag, carabiner with safety lock, knife/scissors, all on you

The Group-Leader will ensure the following group emergency gear be brought:

• First-Aid kit (incl. thermal survival blanket), preferably on board

• Mobile phones (battery checked), with useful numbers saved in the address book, preferably on board

Requirements upon each participant

Participant are required to come to the event with the personal gear they use and recommend for their courses.

Meeting content

The weekly program alternates:

• free group river running days to enjoy the waters and views of Friuli from its beautiful rivers, and

• in-depth technical and educational exchange days, with Paddling skills and Safety training sessions

River running days

These days will be dedicated mainly to exploring river stretches, having fun on the river, and running in a group to observe and learn about the various styles of the companions.

Paddling skills sessions

At the groups’ daily morning meetings paddling skill teaching sets will be chosen and discussed as a group together with the Group-Leader. Each Buddy-Team (2 people) choses a paddling skill to present to the group during the day. As the group progress down the river, the Group-Leader will stop the group and ask a Buddy Team in turn to teach their chosen paddling skill to the other group members. It does not matter if the other members have the same or similar sets of knowledge. We each have our own style and personal tips. This style could be the secret to improving the overall sport and its safety standards. The allotted time for each presentation is 10 minutes. No practice will be required as this is merely an exercise to understand teaching skills and paddle techniques. The group can at its own discretion determine if it would like to practice the paddle skills set. Each presentation is followed by a 10-minute discussion with positive group feedback or recommendations. Examples of possible skill transfer training include: river flow reading, eddy and ferry techniques, paddling strokes, stance.

Safety training sessions

In addition to the above, during the groups morning meetings the groups will decide, at the discretion of the Group’s-Leader, upon two safety exercises which will be practiced on that day. The group members should all make suggestions for the safety training sessions and vote upon which exercises should be practiced. The Group-Leader will then during the trip determine the optimal location to practice each of the two groups safety exercises. Each exercise should, if reasonable, take place at a differing location. Examples of the possible exercises include: whitewater swimming, group wading, tow rescue, throw-bag rescue, live-bait rescue, panic attack simulation, unconscious rescue.

Indian paddle name

This event aims to continue the tradition started by Norbert Sommerfeld's Swiss river sup school of assigning each participant a name according to Indian tradition. At the end of the event, with a ceremony, the paddle buddies and the group-leaders have the opportunity to bestow upon their fellow participants their Indian paddle name. The Indian paddle name is a two-part name: the first part is a verb which reflects upon the participants paddle style, personal nature and attitude; the second part is an animal that the person symbolizes while supping for the other participants. For example: Dancing Bear, Surfing Kangaroo.

Lodging and food

Each participant will be responsible for their own accommodations and food. Since we will be running several rivers, most of us will seek a central location: this could be a campsite or a country house with rooms or apartments. Breakfast and dinner self-organized or decided on the spot. Lunch: we will be eating our lunches and taking our breaks on the river side. Therefore, appropriately pack your snacks, water and lunches for each day. In general, lunches are taken approximately at 13h. Thus, a nourishing breakfast is recommended.

Fees and expenses

Participation to the meeting ist free of charge to qualified instructors. However, donations to help with organizational expenses are appreciated (20-30 euro/day or 100-150 euro/week). All personal expenses as transfers, lodging, meals, etc. are to be carried by the participant.

Contacts

The contacts below do not officially represent their respective countries nor organizations, but – within the scope of the event – ​​serve as contact persons for the instructors of the respective country or organization.

Countries' reference paddlers:

• France     Nicole Menden     whatsapp     email

• Germany     Tom Bartl     whatsapp     email

• Italy     Matteo Morelli     whatsapp     email

• Norway     Tom Cevro     whatsapp     email

• Slovenia     Sebestyén Tóth     whatsapp     email

• Spain     Antonio Robledo Cervera     whatsapp     email

• Sweden     Jonas Frank Palm     whatsapp     email

• Switzerland     Norbert Sommerfeld     whatsapp     email

• USA     Davide Sartoni     whatsapp     email

Local reference paddler:

• Friuli region     Dario Caneva     whatsapp     email

Reference paddlers for national bodies with a (river) sup instructor's training program:

• Simone Tugnoli Peron (Italy-FICK)

• Tommaso Pucci (Italy-FISW)

• Maurizio Zaccherotti (Italy-UISP)

• Gianni Montelli (Italy-FICT)

• Willy Basone (Italy-SIA)

General organization:

• Andrea Ricci     whatsapp     email

Emergency contact in Italy

• 112